SPRINGFIELD, MO ? The Arkansas State baseball team snapped a three-game losing streak as the Indians broke out in a big way with a 13-3 victory over Missouri State on Sunday afternoon at Hammons Field in the series finale. The Indians improve to 9-8 on the year while Missouri State falls to 6-5 on the season.
Junior right hander Nathan Gates (1-1) turned in a stellar outing as he worked seven strong innings and only allowed two earned runs. He limited MSU to just six hits as he struck out seven batters in the victory. Relievers Brian Schuck and Tim Egart each pitched a scoreless inning of relief to secure the Indian victory.
“Nathan is doing a great job right now of getting ahead of hitters and is making it very difficult on opposing teams,” head coach Keith Kessinger said. “This is his second straight solid performance and he really gave us a lift today.”
Junior designated hitter Josh Yates continued his impressive campaign as he turned in his second six-RBI performance of the week. Yates posted a four-for-five afternoon as he notched two singles, a double and a three-run home run. His four hits are a career-high and his six RBIs ties his career-high.
The Indian offense came to life as they pounded out a season-high 19 hits in the victory. Junior right fielder Tyler Doke was impressive as he picked up a career-high four hits while Brett Kinning and Todd Boucher each recorded three hits apiece.
The Indians opened the scoring in the top of the first inning against Missouri State starter Ross Detwiler as Michael Williams Jr. and Doke led off the game with back-to-back singles. Williams came home to score as the Tribe initiated a double steal and an errant throw by the MSU catcher sailed into left field to allow Williams to cross the plate with the first run of the game. The Indians tacked on their second run of the inning as Yates followed with a run scoring single to centerfield to give ASU a 2-0 lead.
The Tribe continued to break out of its slump in the top of the second inning as the Indians added five runs to take a 7-0 lead. The Tribe again started the inning quickly as Boucher reached on a single and Josh Allison drew a walk to put two aboard. After a fielder's choice by Williams, Doke engineered a perfect hit and run as he roped a single through the right side into the hole to score the first run of the inning and put runners on the corners.
Kinning followed with his team leading ninth double of the season as he ripped a two-bagger to right center field to bring home Williams for the second run of the inning. That set the table for the cleanup hitter Yates who came through with a towering three-run home run over the left field wall to give the Tribe a 7-0 lead.
The Tribe added a solo run in the top of the fourth inning against MSU reliever Jacob Bunten. Kinning started things off as he just missed a home run as he doubled off of the right center field wall. Yates continued his run producing bonanza in the game as he double down the left field line to plate Kinning with his fifth RBI of the afternoon.
Missouri State finally broke through against Gates in the bottom of the fourth inning Tony Lewis led off with a double. He was able to come home and score the first Bear run of the afternoon courtesy of an error by Boucher at shortstop as ASU lead's was trimmed to 8-1.
The Indians continued their offensive outburst as they scored four more runs in the top of the fifth inning. Boucher and Allison got things going as they led off with a single and double respectively to put two in scoring position. Williams drove in Boucher as he singled to right field for the first run of the inning. After a Kinning walk loaded the bases, MSU pitcher Bunten was called for a balk to plate Allison.
Yates picked up his sixth RBI of the afternoon as he singled to right field. This is the second game of the week that Yates has driven in six runs as he accomplished the same feat in the first game of the doubleheader against Tennessee-Martin. The Tribe's scoring in the fifth inning was capped off by a ground ball by Guy Brown that gave ASU a 12-1 lead.
After a single run by MSU in the bottom of the fifth inning, the Tribe offense added another run as Doke continued to swing his hot bat. Doke opened the inning as he lifted an 0-1 pitch high over the left field wall for his second home run of the season to give ASU a 13-1 lead.
Detwiler (1-1) picked up the loss as he was tagged for seven runs on seven hits in just two innings of work. Bunten worked two innings of relief and was charged with five runs on eight hits for the Bears.
The Indians will return home to the friendly confines of Tomlinson Stadium as they start an eight-game home stand on Tuesday night. The Tribe will welcome in regional rival and nationally ranked Ole Miss for a 6:30 p.m. first pitch.
####
